September 02, 2010
Little League
Every year the whole world's eyes are on Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Not because of a war, floods, or tornados, but because of children. Yes, children who play a game called baseball.
Baseball is the simple game that can unite over 8000 children to play and then have 16 teams end up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Yes, there will be a world champion, but these kids are winners just to get here. It is a dream of a lifetime.
Just to think that one man and a few kids decided to have a field and play baseball like the adults do. Little did the man, Carl, have any idea how far this act of kindness would go. From a humble beginning to what has developed over the years is unbelievable.
Little League World Series is about families. They come to Williamsport by the thousands to watch the kids in action. Every little league team around the world dreams of a trip to Williamsport, not only as a player, but as a visitor as well. The end of August brings all those hours of practice and travel to a close. Some of the players will go on to play in college and maybe the big leagues, but most will just have those precious memories of Williamsport, and the Little League World Series.
We who live here may not understand the work and effort that goes into Little League Baseball. First, the vast amount of money that must be raised and budgeted for the organization is huge. There are numerous networks of teams, districts, and regions around the world. The volunteers and families spend much time during the summer so their kids can play this game called baseball.
It's also about the safety of the children. They can pitch only so many pitches, to protect their arms, and the safety helmets, bases that release, and many other safety rules. Some of these, like the helmets, have been adopted by the major leagues.
Little league is far more than just playing the game, its character building and learning to obey rules. It is team work. It's respect for umpires, and respect for coaches. Little lives can be changed and prepared for adulthood by playing sports. It's amazing how many major league players credit little league for preparing them for the future.
Little league is a good example of the value of teamwork and good leadership. There is a lesson here for all of us. The lesson is simple; loners will fail but it takes team work to succeed. The children also have something that so many adults have lost. They have joy. Life is still fun to them and I pray that they never lose it.
Maybe "Little League World Series" every year reminds us all of what life is all about; family, friends, and fun.
Chaplain Bud
August 29, 2010
Repent or Perish
The time has come for the church to come alive. God is not dead. God has not lost His power. The church has lost her power and witness. The Christians have lost their power and witness.
What would please God? What can the church do? There has always been one and only one solution to stop sin and regain godly power; repentance. Without repentance there will be no change, or revival, no power, no divine experience. Remember the words of Jesus: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:17. Or in Luke 13:5, "I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
The sad part of this story is that the church does not realize that we are dead spiritually. No excitement, no great break-through conversions, no real joy, no overflowing crowds at services and worship, no stopping of sin, but life just goes on. We are not the church as described in the Book of Acts. We are doctrinally correct, but spiritually dead.
The future of the American churches is very predictable. We will follow the churches of Europe in the future to die out. Only a few will remain faithful. No evangelism, no new church plants, no hope because we have left our first love. It may take 100 years but it will happen unless the American churches wake up to realize they have become liberal and unspiritual.
This is Old Testament history all over again. Each generation gets further and further from God. Other interests and desires replace God; it's called idol-worship. The American idols are sports, recreation, success and money, alcohol, drugs, movies, and videos, and anything that separates us from God.
This opens the door for false religions to move into our country. Our government will not protect our Christian rights or our heritage. A government that is run by non-believers and pagans cannot be blessed by God. Soon we see temples and mosques to foreign gods that are not the true God. So, our country that was once free becomes pagan and anti-Christian.
It is still not too late. However, time is running out. God has blessed America and been patient with her, but our sin will bring his wrath. The church has become dry bones that could live again. But they need life and the Holy Spirit to bring us to a new holiness and working of the Holy Spirit.
Failure is not final but we have the smell of death about us. Without repentance there will be no conviction and no change. With God there is always hope, but it is getting dimmer every day.
The coming of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross will be wasted without a new awaking in America. God is calling His church back to action and spirituality. God is still God with power and authority. He is still our salvation and deliverer. He is still the only hope for us now and the future generation in America.
Think on these things and pray.
See ya in church,
Bud
The Christian Church at Cogan Station
(570) 998-2989
August 11, 2010
Eliminate The Joy Robbers
What good is life if you don't live it to its full potential? What good is life if you are
always sad or mad? What good is life if you are always negative?
Life is supposed to be good and fulfilling. We have so many choices to be able to experience why God created us. We didn't get to choose our time to be born or our parents. But, after we become adults, we are in charge of our lives, our careers, our families, and our relationships. All choices bring consequences and each consequence has a price. So, we learn from bad choices and enjoy good ones.
Someone has come up with an interesting statistic. Here it is. People who are friendly and treat others well are less stressed. People who are unfriendly and treat others badly are really more stressed. So, since I heard that as I meet an unfriendly person, I think to myself, why are you so stressed out? What good is your life if you are always stressed out? Life is too short for that.
Today put on your happy face and enjoy this life here on earth. Make it your goal and ambition to be friendly and kind to other people. Smile a lot and only cry when necessary. Look for someone who needs a helping hand and give it cheerfully. Share your life with your fellow man and you will never be lonely. Give or help others who have no way of repaying and you will really be blessed.
As we age we mature and as we mature we see things much differently. Our choices are better, our work is more meaningful, and our families enrich our lives. Aging does have a positive side. It helps us have a better value system to live by. We begin to take things less and less for granted and realize that life has limitations that are moving in on us. This life on earth is not forever.
So, here is the deal. Start today to eliminate the joy robbers from your life. Be positive about each day and the opportunities that are yours. Keep a tight rein on your tongue and your temper. There is a "new you" in you that wants to be turned loose to experience real joy.
Every day's experiences prepare you for tomorrow's challenges. Every challenge is an opportunity to make good choices and be positive. Fulfillment comes because you fulfilled an obligation and were honest and fair.
A wasted day never returns. So, don't waste them. You are your best motivator of self. Don't let yourself down. Do better, do it quickly, and enjoy the fruit of victory. What good is life if you don't live it to its fullest potential?
Chaplain Bud